Earlier this year, we published a feature all about setting yourself flight-free in 2023. We don’t need to reiterate the virtues of overland travel, but we will anyway: it’s good for your mind, it’s good for the environment, and it can even be good for your wallet.
The good news is there are several new ways to see the world this year without stepping foot on a plane. We’re talking flight-free travel companies, loads of new high-speed and overnight trains linking major destinations in Europe, and now, in August, the world’s longest bus journey is set to launch.
The bus ride, operated by Indian tour company Adventures Overland, will link the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul with the UK’s capital of London. The aptly-named Bus to London is actually an alternative to the proposed route between India and the UK, since cancelled due to certain countries along the way being closed to visitors.
This new route will take off from Istanbul and travel through Greece to the Bulgarian city of Sofia, where it will make its first stop. It’ll then go on to stop at cities including Budapest, Prague, Warsaw, Zagreb and Ljubljana, among others. The journey will be slow and leisurely, with meals, overnight stays and activities – including ‘Nordic traditions in Finland’ and ‘witnessing the Northern Lights’ – included as part of the 56-day package.
How much is all this going to cost? Well, according to CN Traveller, the entire package will set you back around 2,000,000 Indian Rupees – which comes to approximately £20,000 ($24,500, €22,735). Like we said, overland travel can be good for your wallet. Though when you factor in all those activities, guides and meals, it kind of works out.
Did you see that Germany is relaunching a mega-cheap travel pass?
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for the latest travel news and the best stuff happening across the world.